I recently turned the big one-eight, and in those short 216 months, and 6,570 days, I've learned a lot. I've had some good times, some hard times, and lots of laughs. I wouldn't change anything of the first 18 years of my life, but I would change some of the stupid decisions that I've made, and the dumb boys I've cried over, and I hope this helps you to not make the same mistakes I did.
1. High school is short.
No matter how many people warned me that High school would go by in the blink of an eye, I did not listen. But let me be the 100th person to say, IT GOES BY IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. Take it all in, especially you seniors, because you'll be standing at graduation, singing the alma mater, and you will wonder how in the heck you are already graduating. And, speaking of the alma mater...
2. Learn your school's alma mater!
Trust me, it is not that hard. You don't want to be that awkward kid at graduation, or the football games, not singing it! Plus, it's such a fun memory to look back on. I still remember singing the alma mater at my first pep rally!
3. It is none of your business what other people think about you.
My senior year small group leader told us something I will never, ever forget: that it is NONE of your business what other people think about you. Honestly, her telling me that changed me. I no longer worried about if the girls in the hall at school would like my outfit, because it didn't matter.
4. The kids you talk to in high school, won't matter in three months.
The dumb kids from your school that make fun of you, or that ignore you, will not matter in three months, or if you're like me, three days after graduation. Unfollow them on social media, and snapchat, because it doesn't matter what party they went to that weekend, because your life, is your life, not theirs.
5. What you see on social media is not true.
I am not against social media, I'm on it just as much as the next girl, but don't let it run your life. I can recall posting pictures of myself, and friends, laughing "candidly" and posting it with a clever caption, putting off a facade that I was happy, when in reality, I had cried myself to sleep the night before. And while it may seem like that person with the perfect life is exactly who you want to be, you never know what that person is going through. And while you're at it, unfollow all those "thinspo" accounts, because they aren't helping anybody.
6. Be careful what you post on social media.
You really need to be careful with what you post on the internet, because even if you delete the post, it only takes a second for someone to take a screenshot, and send it to people. Future jobs, and organizations will look at your social media, and if the only photos you have are trashy, party pictures, you will not be hired.
7. If you need help, ask for it.
Whether you need help in school, with a class, or something more serious, like if you feel depressed, or in danger, it is totally okay to ask for help. Your parents are not going to be mad at you for saying you need help, they will be proud. And any good friend is not going to judge you if you ask for help, they should carry you through your tough time.
8. The person who you hang out with, is the person you will become.
If you hang out with positive people, you will become positive, On the flip side, if you surround yourself with negative people, you too will become negative. So surround yourself with people who you want to be like, and it will be so much easier.
9. It's okay not to party.
I never went to a single party in high school. I never drank, or did drugs, and that is something I am proud of. As a christian, high school is hard, I can't lie. It seems like everyone is partying, and so it feels like you have to join in, but you don't. Your body, your grades, and your parents, will thank you.
10. Keep up your grades.
I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but seriously, do it. Even as a freshman and sophomore your grades are so important. You need to build your GPA up freshman and sophomore year, so that once you get into the harder classes junior and senior year, it's not as stressful to build your GPA up.
11. It is okay to not get straight A's.
I was very far from a straight A student, but I am still at a great college, and I'm proud of all that I accomplished in high school.
12. Step out of your comfort zone.
If something challenges you, it's only going to make you better.I wouldn't have met a lot of great people in high school if I didn't step out of my comfort zone, and I ended up having a great time at those events!
13. It's okay to be alone.
It's okay to sit at home with your mom on a Friday or Saturday night in your pajamas, and watch a movie, and it's also okay to do that by yourself. You can learn a lot by spending the weekend alone. Like, how to be independent, which is a really important thing to know before you come to college.
14. Don't tear yourself down.
Do not talk about yourself like you're not in the room. Let me tell you right now, you are BEAUTIFUL, and you are LOVED. I know it is really hard to understand that sometimes, trust me, but learning to love myself is one of the best things I have ever done.
15. Not everyone is going to like you.
And that's okay. Not everyone is going to like you, and a lot of times they won't have a good reason to not like you. But if they don't, its okay, because at the end of the day, they don't matter in your life's path.
16. You don't have to like everyone either.
It's okay to not like someone, but you do need to love them, and you need to treat them with respect.
17. Learn to save your money.
As a teenage girl who loves clothes, shoes, makeup, and loves to shop, this is something I am still learning. But it is so important.
18. Don't let life pass you by.
Take in every single second of high school, because once you get to college, you have to buy your own tooth paste, and shampoo. It doesn't just magically reappear! (Thanks mom!)
In addition to all these things, tell your mom you love her, right now, and all the time, because she will always be there for you. And so will the Lord, so tell him you love him too.
